THE KAIMANAWA RANGES
EARLY EXPLORATION DUNEDIN MAN'S MEMORIES KIWIS USED FOR FOOD Interesting reminiscences of a pioneer trip through llio Kainyinawa Ranges 53 years ago are contained in a letter addressed to the Herald by .Mr. I). Harris Hastings, of Dunedin, apropos of a recent report upon a visit io the ranges by a parly from Wanganui.
"1 think I can claim to lie the only survivor of the first party which explored tho Kaimanawa Ranges," states Mr. Hastings. "In 1879, a party from the Native Survey Department, under tho leadership of Mr. Munro, a nephew of the late Mr. \V. H. Field, the wellknown Wanganui surveyor and botanist, set. out from Tarawera to explore the ranges. I was the only cadet in the parly which, with tho exception of Mr. Munro and myself, was comprised of Maoris. "I was in Wanganui at the time and joined Mr. Munro and bis party at Tarawera after a journey with two packhorses to Napier and thence up the Petano Valley. During the trip I encountered members of the Armed Constabulary who, with the late Major Gudgeon in charge, were constructing a road in the vicinity of Tarawera.
"Arrangements for the journey into tlm ranges having been completed, we sot out and, reaching tho Oamaru Stream, followed it to its source—tho loot of the Kaimanawa Ranges. There we left our horses and proceeded on foot into the hills. Then followed an ascent of a high peak from which a glimpse of the Tasman Sea was obtained. W bite Island could be seen in the east. We soon encountered tho Rangitikc'. Iti\ci in the gorges of which were evidences of shining quartz. On reaching the. Wanganui side of the hills we visited a farm owned by Mr. Baker and then proceeded to another farm owned by Messrs. Studholme and Moorehouse.
"During our exploration of the langes we noticed a scarcity of timber growth on the high country. Although wo took great interest in the bird life, no huias were visible, but we encountered so many kiwis that for several days they were our sole article of diet. As the journey took, us longer than had been expected our provisions became exhausted and we had to kill a sheep on a near by run, the manager of which refused to accept payment for tho animal and replenished our supplies."
THE KAIMANAWA RANGES
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21392, 17 January 1933, Page 12
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